Introducing Vaughan’s Mayor for a Day!

Allegra S. tackles critical city-building challenges with Mayor Del Duca

Congratulations to the City of Vaughan’s first Mayor for a Day contest winner, Allegra S.! 

As Vaughan’s Mayor … for a Day, Allegra accompanied Mayor Steven Del Duca at Vaughan City Hall today for his morning meetings and then received a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility where municipal decisions are made. She also met with Members of Council and City staff before attending her first Council meeting.

The contest was open to Vaughan students in Grades 5 to 8. To enter, students were asked to provide two ideas on how to improve their city before the deadline in May. Then a selection panel reviewed all submissions, and Allegra was selected as the winning student based on her innovative ideas to move Vaughan forward, which included transit enhancements and more affordable housing.

Allegra wrote about how increasing public transit options and routes would benefit Vaughan because traffic congestion is a real challenge for the city. Additionally, her gridlock solution would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the natural environment. Allegra was also a strong proponent for building more affordable housing in Vaughan to ensure the city continues to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.

The Mayor for a Day contest was intended to build on what students are learning about municipal government in their studies. Further, the contest was an opportunity to engage students in conversations about the municipal decision-making process early on to better understand the challenges they face and the areas that matter most.

QUOTE

“I want to congratulate the first-ever winner of our Mayor for a Day contest, Allegra S., and thank her for her keen interest in building a better Vaughan. I was honoured to spend the day with such a forward-thinking and remarkable resident. Young people are creative, intelligent and truly care about what happens in our city. After spending the day with Allegra at City Hall, I am more certain than ever that Vaughan’s future is in good hands. And while Allegra is Mayor for a Day today, in the years to come she very well could have a bright future in public service. Once again, congratulations Allegra. The sky’s the limit!”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

QUICK FACTS

• Vaughan’s first-ever Mayor for a Day contest was open to students in Grades 5 to 8; the submission deadline was May 22, 2023.
• Each entrant was asked to submit two ideas on improving Vaughan, and a selection committee reviewed all the contest entries to determine the winner.